Intel Pentium III Xeon 933 2.8V

Intel Pentium III Xeon 933 2.8V is a single-core, single-thread server processor built on the P6 architecture with the Cascades codename. It operates at a base clock of 933.00 MHz, uses a 180 nm process node with 28 million transistors on a 106 mm² die, and targets the Server/Workstation market segment. The data shows it holds a 50th percentile ranking against all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 0, indicating that it is a baseline reference point rather than a performance leader in modern terms.

Benchmark Performance

The benchmark results for the Intel Pentium III Xeon 933 2.8V are minimal: the average benchmark score is 0, and the nearestRivals list is empty. This absence of comparative data means there are no exact percentage deltas to cite against competing processors. The 50th percentile placement is a median position, but with no rival scores provided, this should be interpreted as a neutral midpoint in a historical distribution rather than a competitive standing.

What the data does show is that this processor was not designed for high benchmark throughput. With a single core and a single thread, its raw compute ceiling is defined by that 933.00 MHz clock speed. In practical terms, the lack of any listed rival deltas suggests that the database has not recorded meaningful comparative workloads for this part, likely because it was a niche server offering. The score of 0 does not imply a failure—it simply reflects that no standardized benchmark results were captured for this SKU.

For a builder looking at this data, the takeaway is straightforward: this chip will not compete on synthetic scores, and any performance assessment must rely on architectural characteristics rather than measured deltas. The 50th percentile is a positional marker, but without rival comparisons, it offers no actionable insight into relative speed.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The Intel Pentium III Xeon 933 2.8V is strictly a single-threaded processor: 1 core and 1 thread. There is no boost clock listed, so the 933.00 MHz base clock is the maximum sustained frequency. This makes the chip’s behavior entirely about single-thread performance. In real workloads, this means it can handle one instruction stream efficiently, but it will not scale with multi-threaded applications.

The cache hierarchy supports this design: 32 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2. The L2 cache is relatively small by modern standards, but for its era it was adequate for the single-threaded server tasks it targeted. Because there is no L3 cache and no multi-threading, the processor cannot hide memory latency behind parallel execution. The single-channel memory bus further limits data throughput, so memory-bound single-threaded tasks will be constrained by that bus width.

For a builder, this split implies that the chip is suitable for legacy single-threaded server roles—database transaction processing, simple web serving, or legacy application hosting—where one fast thread is more important than many slow ones. It offers no advantage in modern multi-core workloads, and the lack of a boost clock means there is no headroom for bursty single-thread tasks beyond the rated 933.00 MHz.

Power and Thermals

The thermal design power (TDP) for the Intel Pentium III Xeon 933 2.8V is 29 watts. This is a low TDP figure, especially for a server-class Xeon part. The “2.8V” in the name refers to the core voltage, which is a high voltage by modern standards but typical for the 180 nm process era. The 180 nm node and 28 million transistors are modest, and the 106 mm² die size is small, contributing to the low power envelope.

With a 29-watt TDP, this processor does not require aggressive cooling. A capable air cooler with a modest heatsink and fan will suffice; there is no need for liquid cooling or high-end thermal solutions. The low power draw also means that system builders can pair it with smaller power supplies without concern for peak loads. However, the high 2.8V core voltage is notable—it suggests that the chip runs hot relative to its wattage, so adequate airflow over the socket area is still recommended.

In a server chassis, this TDP class is advantageous because it reduces heat density, allowing for denser configurations. For a workstation, it means quiet operation with a standard cooler. The data does not include thermal measurements, but the 29-watt TDP is the key planning number: treat it as a low-heat part that will not stress a thermal solution.

FAQ

Q: What is the base clock speed of the Intel Pentium III Xeon 933 2.8V?

A: The base clock is 933.00 MHz. There is no boost clock listed, so this is the maximum operating frequency.

Q: How many cores and threads does this processor have?

A: It has 1 core and 1 thread, making it a strictly single-threaded processor.

Q: What socket does this CPU use?

A: It uses the Intel Slot 2 socket, which is a cartridge-based form factor for server processors.

Q: Does this processor support ECC memory?

A: No, the data indicates ECC memory support is false. Memory support details are not listed, but ECC is not enabled.

Q: What is the manufacturing process node?

A: The process node is 180 nm, with 28 million transistors on a 106 mm² die.

Q: What is the thermal design power (TDP)?

A: The TDP is 29 watts, which is low for a server-class part and implies modest cooling requirements.

How It Compares

The nearestRivals list is empty in the data, so there are no direct competitor scores or percentage deltas to analyze. This is a unique situation: the processor has no recorded rival comparisons, meaning the database has not paired it with other CPUs for benchmark analysis.

In the absence of rivals, the comparison must be qualitative. Against later Pentium III Xeon variants, this 933.00 MHz part sits at the higher end of the Cascades lineup, but without specific rival scores, its position is undefined. The 50th percentile ranking is the only positional data point, and it places the chip in the middle of all CPUs in the database, which is a broad and not particularly informative ranking given the historical nature of the part.

For a builder considering this processor, the lack of rivals means there is no performance benchmark to justify its selection. The decision would have to rest on platform compatibility and the specific need for a single-threaded, low-TDP server CPU. The empty rival list is itself a statement: this chip was not competitive enough to warrant head-to-head testing, or it was so niche that no standardized comparisons were performed.

Platform and Compatibility

The Intel Pentium III Xeon 933 2.8V uses the Intel Slot 2 socket, a cartridge-based interface designed for server and workstation systems. The architecture is P6 with the Cascades codename, and it is part of the Pentium III Xeon generation. The processor is marked as end-of-life, meaning it is no longer in production.

Memory support is not listed in the data, but the memory bus is single-channel, and ECC memory is not supported. This limits the chip to non-ECC memory configurations, which is unusual for a server part and suggests it was aimed at low-cost or entry-level server boards. There is no PCIe support listed, which is expected for a processor from this era—it would have relied on AGP and PCI buses on the motherboard instead.

The upgrade path is effectively nonexistent: with a Slot 2 socket and end-of-life status, there are no newer processors that fit this platform. The part number is SL3WXSL4HC, and the launch MSRP is $794. The multiplier is not unlocked, so overclocking is not possible. For a builder, this platform is a historical curiosity—compatible only with legacy Slot 2 motherboards that support the 933.00 MHz clock and 2.8V core voltage. The single-channel memory bus and lack of ECC further confine it to basic server roles, and the 29-watt TDP makes it easy to cool, but the overall platform is obsolete for any modern workload.